How Tinubu Responded When Emir Sanusi Brought Northern Rulers To Plead For Ex-Gov El-Rufai’s Release
A group of northern traditional rulers led by Emir Sanusi Lamido II of Kano Emirate, reportedly pressured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release embattled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
A highly-placed confidential source privy to the development and who does not want his name mentioned in the publication, said that the northern traditional rulers made the move after Nasir El-Rufai was granted stringent bail conditions by the Federal High Court.
The monarchs appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nasir El-rufai to them, declaring their support for Tinubu as well as their confidence in his leadership.
They requested that Tinubu should discontinue the ongoing multiple litigations against Nasir El-Rufai as well as free him.
The traditional rulers led by Sanusi Lamido promised to continue to support the President’s administration and also declared their full confidence in his leadership.”
The source claimed that Tinubu in his response to the traditional rulers, thanked them for their support for his administration and for their important role in their various communities.
Speaking about Nasir El-Rufai, he informed the monarchs that he was not behind the detained politician’s ordeal.
He highlighted how the Kaduna State House of Assembly had petitioned Nigerian anti-graft agencies, seeking that El-Rufai be investigated and prosecuted for alleged misappropriation of funds during his governorship administration.
The President according to the source, also referenced Nasir El-Rufai’s controversial claims about the NSA’s phone being tapped.
He emphasised that the former Kaduna State Governor was not being persecuted as being insinuated, reiterating that he had no hand in Nasir El-Rufai’s ordeal and that his matters were currently in the courts.
Tinubu said he lacked the constitutional authority to influence the courts.
The President told the visitors repeatedly that he had no hand in El-Rufai’s detention and different court cases.
The President reminded the traditional rulers how the EFCC and the ICPC were petitioned by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, alleging that about $423 million was misappropriated during El-Rufai’s administration.
